Trying to get into clinical trials...

[Natalie06]

It's been a while since I posted but wanted to let you all know that I have a lead on a clinical trial for the androgen drops manufactured by Allergan. My local MD got the name of a Dry Eye specialist in Massachusetts and I have emailed him to inquire. He is on staff at Schepens but also works out of an office that is much closer to the Maine border.

Unfortunately, no lab in Maine wants to even touch the autologous serum drops due to the liability of dealing with blood products.

On the other hand, the minocyline is actually working on my glands. Much more effective for me than Tetracycline or Doxy. So far the effect on the dryness is pretty minimal but my eyelids feel a little better.

But after tomorrow, I am off for two weeks so the break from work will be a nice rest for my eyes.

Wish me luck on these drops. I am dreading the winter and I haven't even gotten over the air conditioning from this summer!

Natalie

[Eli]

Doctor

Could you give us the name of the doc? It isn't Reza Dana, is it?

[Rojzen]

minocycline; androgen trials; Dr. Dana's humility and practicality

Fabulous, Natalie, to see that minocycline is so clearly helpful for those glands. . .And I'm intrigued by the news of the androgen clinical trials. . .RE: Dr. Reza Dana. . .I saw him years ago, because of his association with Dr. Sullivan at Schepens, and while he could not help, particularly not with any androgens, then, he turned out to be the first doctor to recommend moisture chamber glasses for me. . .He handed me an article on the glasses, and I took it from there. Never saw Dr. Dana again, but WOW did he change my life. . .An excellent researcher, I thought, who was not too proud to say "I can't help, but here's something that someone ELSE can do for you that will get you back on your feet"

[Lucy]

Natalie~
Good luck with the drops and have a super vacation, no matter what you do.
The break should do your eyes wonders-even if only for awhile.
Lucy

[Natalie06]

Thanks everyone!

The name of the MD is Dr. Mark Abelson. My local MD's Allergan rep gave her his name. If you read the Schepen's website, Dr. Sullivan is also doing clinical trials with these drops. But Dr. Abelson has an office in Andover, MA which is much closer and easier to get through than Boston traffic.

Those MA drivers are legendary to us "mainahs".

Natalie

[Rebecca Petris]

The last I heard there were no ongoing androgen clinical trials. Have they started up again?

[Natalie06]

Rebecca

Dr. Abeslon's name was given to my MD by her Allergan rep. I am not 100% sure if they are "clinical" trials like for the FDA or not. I do know from some of the reading I did on Dr. Abelson that he does a lot of new drug testing.

I will let you know more as I find out.

Natalie

[Natalie06]

Here's a quote from the Schepens site:

"We have assembled the largest research team in the world focusing on dry eye syndrome and related ocular surface disorders, and we have entered the clinical trial process with a novel, topical androgen (male hormone) therapy."

There is a contact name on the site and email address. My MD just thought that I could go to Andover versus the "city" especially since I can't drive very far.

And I just emailed them and the contact is out until next Thursday, 9/27.

N

[Rebecca Petris]

David Sullivan & co were doing clinicals on this for quite a long time, then I think when Allergan licensed it the formal research pretty much stopped - this would have been sometime last summer (2006) from what I recollect. I monitored Allergan's quarterly investor calls for awhile and they never even mentioned androgen - just went completely silent about it - and when I contacted them they said there were no ongoing studies.

I have not checked lately though. I'll be very pleased if there is any new activity going on, as I always thought this was a promising research avenue.